Israel criticizes South American countries that severed diplomatic ties and recalled ambassadors from Tel Aviv

Israel has criticized Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia after the South American countries took a series of diplomatic steps in protest against Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza.

Other Latin American countries, including Argentina and Brazil, have also intensified their criticism of the impact of Israeli military operations on civilians, AP reported.

Israel called on Colombia and Chile to "explicitly condemn the terrorist organization Hamas, which slaughtered and kidnapped babies, children, women, and the elderly," according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The call came after Chile and Colombia recalled their ambassadors to Israel on Tuesday evening due to criticism of the killing of civilians in Gaza. Israel expects Colombia and Chile to support the right of a democratic country to protect its citizens and to call for the immediate release of all hostages, not to join Venezuela and Iran in supporting Hamas terrorism, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Although the statement from the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the recall of the ambassador does not mention Hamas, President Gabriel Boric mentioned Hamas in a separate statement on X, formerly Twitter, in which he said that "innocent civilians"... "are the main victims of the Israeli offensive".

Chile "does not doubt the condemnation of the attacks and kidnappings committed by Hamas," Boric wrote.
"Humanity cannot be sustained through dehumanizing connections," he added.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro was more direct, sharing multiple messages on social media condemning Israel's actions. "This is called genocide, they are doing it to remove the Palestinian people from Gaza and take it over," Petro wrote on X. "The head of state who committed this genocide is a criminal against humanity," he added.

Earlier, Israel condemned Bolivia's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Israel,
characterizing it as a "surrender to terrorism and the ayatollah regime in Iran." Severing
diplomatic relations with Israel means that "the Bolivian government is joining the terrorist organization Hamas," the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The diplomatic moves by the three South American countries, led by left-wing leaders, come at a time when others in the region have intensified their criticism of Israeli military activity. Argentina criticized the Israeli attack on the Jabalia refugee camp and said that "the humanitarian situation in Gaza is increasingly alarming".

"Argentina has unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7 and recognizes Israel's right to its legitimate defense. However, nothing justifies the violation of international humanitarian law and the obligation to protect the civilian population in armed conflicts," the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Argentina's statement came hours after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on Israel to stop bombing Gaza. "For the first time, we are seeing a war where the majority of those killed are children," Lula wrote on X. "Stop! For God's sake, stop!"